Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Sheffield Masonic Library.

SHEFFIELD MASONIC LIBRARY .

We havo received copy of prospectus of a scheme for the establishment of a Masonic Library in connection with the three Craft Lodges at Sheffield . Already the promoters are in a position to announce that the support thus far accorded has been most liberal . All under whose notice it

has yet been brought liave most heartily responded to the call , and have further promised to aid it by every means in their power . It is under these circumstances that ihe Executive appeal to the brethren in Sheffield and its neighbourhood for contributions , and they are of opinion that

once a comprehensive Masonic library , such as is m contemplation , has been established , Craftsmen will only be too happy to avail themselves of the advantages for study

long list of the books which the committee already possess as the nucleus of the library . The scheme has our heartiest good wishes for its success . The more Masonry is studied , the greater will be its influence both within and without the Craft .

Nelson, New Zealand. Freemasonry And The Australasian Cable.

NELSON , NEW ZEALAND . FREEMASONRY AND THE AUSTRALASIAN CABLE .

WE are indebted to an esteemed correspondent for the following particulars : — The successful accomplishment of the laying- of tho telegraph cable which now connects New Zealand with Australia and tho rest of the world , bnt more intimately Nelson with Sydney as the termini , has been the subject of mutual congratulation during the past week among the citizens of Nelson , the staff of engineers and

electricians and the officers of the magnificent cable steam ships " Hibernia" and " Edinburgh , " whose mission has been so admirably and expeditiously fulfilled . Although no demonstration of a strictly public character has taken place , we aro gratified at being able to say the officers referred to have left Nelson highly delighted with their entertainment here , and

are carrying with them pleasant reminiscences of their brief sojourn in a place they all characterize as a beautiful and a lovely spot . Whilst the good citizens were engaged in debating as to the " correct thing " to be done in the way of entertaining their scientific guests , some brethren of the Craft , having introduced themselves as such , the Southern Star Lodge , 735 E . G ., lost no time in convening

a meeting of emergency , which was accordingly held on Wednesday , 1 st March , for the purpose of welcoming their Masonic brethren , who were pretty numerously represented among the companies of tho big ships . The Lodge duly opened nn to the 2 nd degtve , and a brother pfissnd n ? a F-dlovv Crnj-lciwi . Tlie Lodne wa * en well attended that notwithstanding a rainfall , almost tropical in its severity , every seat

in tho Masonic Hall was occupied . After closing in due form , the guests were invited to a bancpie ' with the brethren of tho L-dgc , which was well served by the Steward , Bro . Tregea , of the Commercial Hotel , the W . M ., Bro . Moutray , occupying the chair , supported by Bro . Dr . Scaly and Bro . Lightford P . M . ' s , the guests of the evening immediately around , and

Bro . Dr . Boor S . W . filling tho vice chair . The cloth having been removed , the W . M . iu proposing " Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , " observed that whilst this was no mere formal toast to tho true Englishman , it was a , toast eminently interesting to the true Mason , who could not but entertain the most fervent love for our Queen , not only as a good sovereign , an

history of the Electric Telegraph through its successive stages to the consummation of tbe important event now being celebrated , of connecting in an unbroken cbain of communication the two hemispheres . Bro . Sherwin returned thanks for the Telegraph Construction Company as well as for himself and fellow officers , and trusted should

the laying of another eabl •bo found necessary that ho should be ono of thoso employed to bring it to Nelson . Songs , other occasional toasts , and a recitation , ably given by Bro . Cato , brought the festivities , at length , to aclose , "the brethren parting in harmony , " after a most social and enjoyable evening , long to be remembered as associated with a work of such magnitude as never to havo

been dreamed of until very recently , and rejoicing that the rapid progress of the Colonies had made such a consummation not only necessary but practicable . It was felt by Freemasons especia'ly meet that they whose mystic spiritual cable has , from time immemorial , been potent in uniting and binding together its own of every nation and language , should be first to hail the advent of this great social , international aud

timeconqnering band of civilized man , beneficial to unite this once remote end of tho earth with the mighty centres of old and new world populations . Thus much for Masonry . The example of the good old Craft ab once was emulated , and on the Saturday succeeding , a special pleasure train was laid on by the managers of the Nelson and Fox Hill Eailway , for a largo picnic at Wakefield to which tho engineers ,

electricians and ships officers were invited , and a subscription ball was given in their honour in the Provincial Hall on Friday 3 rd March . On the previous Wednesday Captain Cato generously invited a numerous party of ladies and gentlemen to a dejeuner on board tho Hibernia , lying outside the Nelson Haven , tho coasting steamer Murray having been placed at his disposal by the owners , Messrs . N . Edwards

and Co ., for conveying his guests to tho vessel . A sumptons repast was provided , and the polite officers seemed to vie with each other in exhibiting and explaining the interesting features connected with tho expedition in its every department . On returning , in the evening , tho party was received on board the Edinburgh , and welcomed by her Commander , Capt . Manning .

Tho steamers left the bay on Saturday morning . The cable is landed at Wakapuaku ( henceforth " Cable Bay" ) , twelve miles from the Telegraph Office , Nelson , with which it is connected by a land line . The following " Contribution" of the humorous weekly correspondent of the Nelson Daily Times ( Bro . Autolycus ) appeared in that journal of Saturday morning : —

"The Hibernia aud Edinburgh sail this morning , their great task accomplishe I , their work well done . If the people of Nelson have not testified their appreciation of the undertaking performed by the cable staff in a public manner , there has been no lack of private hospitality displayed towards our visitors , who will depart carrying with them many pleasant recollections of their short sojourn in quiet

little Nelson . The Brethren of the Mystic Tie were not unmindful of the duty inculcated by the Order , and enjoined upon every member of the brotherhood . They were first to extend the hand of friendship , and thoir example was quickly followed by others . Then there was pleasant reunions of all kinds , concluding with tho ball on Tuesday night . This was a right cheerful affair , marred only by ono

accdent , caused by the breaking of tho floor . Of this a guest sends me the following description : the sentences in parentheses are my own . My correspondent writes : — There was a sound of revelry by night ( I think I ' ve seen that line somewhere before ) , Within that spacious hall , where , beaming bright , C ' ollingwood coal illumed the roomy floor ,

'O ' er which , iu time to music ' s gentle swell , A score of couples moved witb ease and grace , While stranger beau and eke tho Nelson belle , By custom licensed , joined in fond embrace . But , hark ! a shriek—a hurrying to and fro , The floor has broken ; 'neath the lightsome tread ; Matrons on ono fair form their care bestow ; A fen ale friend sustains the dear one ' s

The object of their care first deeply sighed—( A sure sign of returning animation ); Her partner's hand convulsively she clasped , Opened one eye ( a bright translucent blue one ) , Then in low tremulous tones that maiden gasped , " That cussed floor wants mending witb a new one . "

I fancy there must be some slight mistake about the adjective used by the lady , but beyond that , the remark evidenced a complete return to consciousness , and I have much pleasure iu endorsing the sentiments expressed : that floor really wants replacing altogether ; and

it this is not done shortly , the District Court will be going right through one of these days . But I digress—I commenced with the pailing of the Hibernia and Edinburgh ; let mo conchide by wishing every one on board , from tho captains to tho cabin boys , a safe voyage and a pleasant one .

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Sheffield Masonic Library.

SHEFFIELD MASONIC LIBRARY .

We havo received copy of prospectus of a scheme for the establishment of a Masonic Library in connection with the three Craft Lodges at Sheffield . Already the promoters are in a position to announce that the support thus far accorded has been most liberal . All under whose notice it

has yet been brought liave most heartily responded to the call , and have further promised to aid it by every means in their power . It is under these circumstances that ihe Executive appeal to the brethren in Sheffield and its neighbourhood for contributions , and they are of opinion that

once a comprehensive Masonic library , such as is m contemplation , has been established , Craftsmen will only be too happy to avail themselves of the advantages for study

long list of the books which the committee already possess as the nucleus of the library . The scheme has our heartiest good wishes for its success . The more Masonry is studied , the greater will be its influence both within and without the Craft .

Nelson, New Zealand. Freemasonry And The Australasian Cable.

NELSON , NEW ZEALAND . FREEMASONRY AND THE AUSTRALASIAN CABLE .

WE are indebted to an esteemed correspondent for the following particulars : — The successful accomplishment of the laying- of tho telegraph cable which now connects New Zealand with Australia and tho rest of the world , bnt more intimately Nelson with Sydney as the termini , has been the subject of mutual congratulation during the past week among the citizens of Nelson , the staff of engineers and

electricians and the officers of the magnificent cable steam ships " Hibernia" and " Edinburgh , " whose mission has been so admirably and expeditiously fulfilled . Although no demonstration of a strictly public character has taken place , we aro gratified at being able to say the officers referred to have left Nelson highly delighted with their entertainment here , and

are carrying with them pleasant reminiscences of their brief sojourn in a place they all characterize as a beautiful and a lovely spot . Whilst the good citizens were engaged in debating as to the " correct thing " to be done in the way of entertaining their scientific guests , some brethren of the Craft , having introduced themselves as such , the Southern Star Lodge , 735 E . G ., lost no time in convening

a meeting of emergency , which was accordingly held on Wednesday , 1 st March , for the purpose of welcoming their Masonic brethren , who were pretty numerously represented among the companies of tho big ships . The Lodge duly opened nn to the 2 nd degtve , and a brother pfissnd n ? a F-dlovv Crnj-lciwi . Tlie Lodne wa * en well attended that notwithstanding a rainfall , almost tropical in its severity , every seat

in tho Masonic Hall was occupied . After closing in due form , the guests were invited to a bancpie ' with the brethren of tho L-dgc , which was well served by the Steward , Bro . Tregea , of the Commercial Hotel , the W . M ., Bro . Moutray , occupying the chair , supported by Bro . Dr . Scaly and Bro . Lightford P . M . ' s , the guests of the evening immediately around , and

Bro . Dr . Boor S . W . filling tho vice chair . The cloth having been removed , the W . M . iu proposing " Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , " observed that whilst this was no mere formal toast to tho true Englishman , it was a , toast eminently interesting to the true Mason , who could not but entertain the most fervent love for our Queen , not only as a good sovereign , an

history of the Electric Telegraph through its successive stages to the consummation of tbe important event now being celebrated , of connecting in an unbroken cbain of communication the two hemispheres . Bro . Sherwin returned thanks for the Telegraph Construction Company as well as for himself and fellow officers , and trusted should

the laying of another eabl •bo found necessary that ho should be ono of thoso employed to bring it to Nelson . Songs , other occasional toasts , and a recitation , ably given by Bro . Cato , brought the festivities , at length , to aclose , "the brethren parting in harmony , " after a most social and enjoyable evening , long to be remembered as associated with a work of such magnitude as never to havo

been dreamed of until very recently , and rejoicing that the rapid progress of the Colonies had made such a consummation not only necessary but practicable . It was felt by Freemasons especia'ly meet that they whose mystic spiritual cable has , from time immemorial , been potent in uniting and binding together its own of every nation and language , should be first to hail the advent of this great social , international aud

timeconqnering band of civilized man , beneficial to unite this once remote end of tho earth with the mighty centres of old and new world populations . Thus much for Masonry . The example of the good old Craft ab once was emulated , and on the Saturday succeeding , a special pleasure train was laid on by the managers of the Nelson and Fox Hill Eailway , for a largo picnic at Wakefield to which tho engineers ,

electricians and ships officers were invited , and a subscription ball was given in their honour in the Provincial Hall on Friday 3 rd March . On the previous Wednesday Captain Cato generously invited a numerous party of ladies and gentlemen to a dejeuner on board tho Hibernia , lying outside the Nelson Haven , tho coasting steamer Murray having been placed at his disposal by the owners , Messrs . N . Edwards

and Co ., for conveying his guests to tho vessel . A sumptons repast was provided , and the polite officers seemed to vie with each other in exhibiting and explaining the interesting features connected with tho expedition in its every department . On returning , in the evening , tho party was received on board the Edinburgh , and welcomed by her Commander , Capt . Manning .

Tho steamers left the bay on Saturday morning . The cable is landed at Wakapuaku ( henceforth " Cable Bay" ) , twelve miles from the Telegraph Office , Nelson , with which it is connected by a land line . The following " Contribution" of the humorous weekly correspondent of the Nelson Daily Times ( Bro . Autolycus ) appeared in that journal of Saturday morning : —

"The Hibernia aud Edinburgh sail this morning , their great task accomplishe I , their work well done . If the people of Nelson have not testified their appreciation of the undertaking performed by the cable staff in a public manner , there has been no lack of private hospitality displayed towards our visitors , who will depart carrying with them many pleasant recollections of their short sojourn in quiet

little Nelson . The Brethren of the Mystic Tie were not unmindful of the duty inculcated by the Order , and enjoined upon every member of the brotherhood . They were first to extend the hand of friendship , and thoir example was quickly followed by others . Then there was pleasant reunions of all kinds , concluding with tho ball on Tuesday night . This was a right cheerful affair , marred only by ono

accdent , caused by the breaking of tho floor . Of this a guest sends me the following description : the sentences in parentheses are my own . My correspondent writes : — There was a sound of revelry by night ( I think I ' ve seen that line somewhere before ) , Within that spacious hall , where , beaming bright , C ' ollingwood coal illumed the roomy floor ,

'O ' er which , iu time to music ' s gentle swell , A score of couples moved witb ease and grace , While stranger beau and eke tho Nelson belle , By custom licensed , joined in fond embrace . But , hark ! a shriek—a hurrying to and fro , The floor has broken ; 'neath the lightsome tread ; Matrons on ono fair form their care bestow ; A fen ale friend sustains the dear one ' s

The object of their care first deeply sighed—( A sure sign of returning animation ); Her partner's hand convulsively she clasped , Opened one eye ( a bright translucent blue one ) , Then in low tremulous tones that maiden gasped , " That cussed floor wants mending witb a new one . "

I fancy there must be some slight mistake about the adjective used by the lady , but beyond that , the remark evidenced a complete return to consciousness , and I have much pleasure iu endorsing the sentiments expressed : that floor really wants replacing altogether ; and

it this is not done shortly , the District Court will be going right through one of these days . But I digress—I commenced with the pailing of the Hibernia and Edinburgh ; let mo conchide by wishing every one on board , from tho captains to tho cabin boys , a safe voyage and a pleasant one .